Meetings will explore plans for $50 million in improvements in East Allen County

kleininger@news-sentinel.com

The New Allen Alliance, a coalition of seven communities working to improve quality of life in rural East Allen County, will host a series of meetings to explain the priorities established in “Rural Revival Initiative” plan.

In cooperation with the Allen County Board of Commissioners the Alliance submitted a concept proposal of the plan to the Indiana Regional Stellar Communities Program in April and was selected as one of six finalists to compete to be a Stellar Communities designee. Two of the six regions will be chosen.

The Revival plan includes investments in downtowns, parks, trails, sidewalks, and housing as part of more than $50 million in projects. See www.newallenalliance.net for more information on proposed projects. Funding available through the Indiana Stellar Program includes $4.5 million in Community Development Block Grants, $2 million in Rural Transportation funds, $800,000 in annual Housing Tax Credits, $250,000 in Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation dollars and $35,000 for rural health. The Alliance is also seeking local funds, including $4.25 million from the Capital Improvement Board.

The plan will be addressed at the following meetings: Aug. 22, Grabill Town Council Meeting (Sept. 5th vote), 7 p.m. at Town Hall; August 23: Capital Improvement Board, Grand Wayne Center, 8:30 a.m.; Aug. 23, Leo-Cedarville Town Council Meeting, 6 p.m. at Town Hall; Aug. 28, New Haven City Council, 7 p.m. at City Hall; Aug. 31, Allen County Commissioners, 10 a.m. at Citizens Square; Sept 5, Monroeville Town Council, 7 p.m. at City Hall.

A complete Revival plan application is due to the state by Sept. 21. If selected, the region would have four years to complete its projects.